Machida Zelda took a major step to returning to the MEIJI YASUDA J2 League next year with a 2-1 win over Oita Trinita in the J2-J3 League promotion/relegation play-off.

Backed by a strong home crowd at Machida Athletic Stadium, the hosts found themselves trailing midway through the first half after Trinita’s Daniel scored from a set-piece. 

But Koji Suzuki had other ideas, equalising with a left-footed effort before the break to make it 1-1, before scoring the winner in the 72nd minute.

Trinita, who ended the match with nine men after two second-half red cards, will host the second leg at the Oita Bank Dome on December 6.